City eyes economic data dump for clues on BoE rate hike path September 11, 2022 City traders will be looking for clues shedding light on how far the Bank of England will need to hike interest rates in this week’s economic data dump. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index posted a decent performance last week, adding nearly one per cent to close at 7,351.07 points. Its mid-cap domestically-focused counterpart, the [...]
Asos warn on profits as cost of living crisis hits consumers September 9, 2022 Asos has cautioned over profits after sales fell below expectations in August as consumers tightened their belts in response to rising bills. The online fashion giant said it saw “good growth” in June and July and expects total sales for the year to August 31 to remain within market expectations. However, it said it is [...]
Primark profit margins to be hit by high energy costs and shoppers’ budget worries September 8, 2022 Primark owner Associated British Foods said it expects the retailer’s profit margins to take a hit next year due to rising energy costs. In a trading update on Thursday morning, the retailer said it anticipated Primark’s profit margin to be lower than expected as the budget-chain has opted to limit further price hikes. ABF acknowledged [...]
Halfords warns cost pressures could lead to road safety risks September 7, 2022 Halfords share price boomed more than 10 per cent on Wednesday morning, following a trading update. Halfords saw like for like sales dip 1.9 per cent compared to the year before, for the 20-week period to 19 August 2022. Sales last year benefitted from the end of the Covid lockdown in the UK. The motoring [...]
WH Smith high street sales lower than pre-Covid levels after Funky Pigeon hack September 7, 2022 WH Smith has said its high street arm has been impacted by a cyber security issue with its greetings cards business, denting sales. The stationery seller said its high street business was performing in line with expectations. Sales stood at 80 per cent of 2019 revenue for the 26 weeks to 27 August 2022, following [...]
Asos shares slip after fashion marketplace reminded analysts of lower profit guidance September 5, 2022 Asos saw its share price tumble on Monday, alongside several retailers including Joules and THG. The share slide followed reports that the online fashion marketplace had privately reminded City analysts on subdued guidance for the year ahead, as is a standard pre-close practice. Asos shares were subdued by almost six per cent on Monday afternoon, [...]
Brits ditch the loungewear and head back to the office: John Lewis September 5, 2022 Non-wired bras, velour tracksuits, jigsaws and wall-mounted desks have fallen out of favour with British shoppers as they put the lockdown lifestyle behind them, annual John Lewis sales figures suggest. The retailer’s annual How We Shop, Live And Look report suggests customers are “casting off the trappings of a life in lockdown” with sales of [...]
Matalan eyes up sale as British retailers continue to feel sting September 4, 2022 Matalan's founders are eyeing up a sale, as the fashion firm struggles to fight off inflationary pressure.
Sunday Sitdown: Grind’s CEO on conquering America with his cult coffee chain September 4, 2022 Londoners may recognise the Grind coffee brand. There are currently eight branches around the capital and a 15,000 sq ft roastery in Bermondsey. Despite a hit to cafe revenues during the pandemic, the company is taking its business model across the pond as City A.M. can reveal today Grind has ambitious plans to conquer the [...]
Weekend Read: As the Pound crashes to record low, what can be done to halt Sterling’s freefall? September 4, 2022 City A.M. reported yesterday that the pound is on course to plunge to a record low against the US dollar, largely driven by the UK tumbling into a tough recession. Sterling is expected to drop to $1.05 by the middle of next year, but could fall close to parity with the greenback, according to consultancy [...]